Packers Manager Steps Down

Ron Wolf, the architect of the Green Bay
Packers' return to the Super Bowl in the mid-1990s, is retiring as
executive vice president/general manager.

Coach Mike Sherman will take over in a dual role after Wolf's
last day June 1.

Wolf had three years left on his contract and will serve them as
a consultant to the team.

"We've had a great ride here," an emotional Wolf said as he
composed himself at a news conference at Lambeau Field. "We've
accomplished a lot."

Sherman, who's been a head coach for just one season, said he
was honored and humbled by his new responsibilities.

He said he's learned a lot from Wolf and has plenty more to
learn.

"I do not assume to be Ron's equal in regard to personnel
matters," Sherman said. "He's is the very best. … But I am
Ron's equal in regards to passion for the Green Bay Packers."

Wolf Led Team to Superbowl

Wolf, 62, joined the Packers in late 1991, and hired Mike
Holmgren as coach the next season. Wolf also acquired quarterback
Brett Favre in a trade with Atlanta and signed Reggie White as a
free agent.

After 25 years of futility following the glory days of Vince
Lombardi, the Packers climbed to the top of the NFL under Wolf.
Green Bay reached the Super Bowl in consecutive seasons, beating
New England in the '97 Super Bowl for its first championship since
1967 and then losing to Denver in the '98 title game.

The Packers won three straight NFC Central titles starting in
1995, and also own the NFL's second longest home-field winning
streak at 25 straight regular season games. The streak started
Sept. 17, 1995, and ended with a loss to the Minnesota Vikings Oct.
5, 1998.

Holmgren resigned after the 1998 season, the last time the
Packers reached the playoffs.

Wolf hired Ray Rhodes, but fired him after an 8-8 season. Wolf
said the team lacked discipline under Rhodes, who was replaced by
Mike Sherman, a former protege of Holmgren.

Sherman guided Green Bay to a 9-7 record last year, but the
Packers failed to qualify for the postseason.

Wolf was known for having an eye for talent, with 75 percent of
his draftees since 1993 still playing in the NFL at the end of the
1999 season.

Career Began in 1963

Wolf began his NFL career as a scout for the Oakland Raiders in
1963. He joined the expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers as vice
president in 1975 before returning to the Raiders as player
personnel director in 1978. He left the Raiders in 1990 for a
similar position with the New York Jets.

In 1991, while with the Jets, he spotted Favre on the Falcons'
sideline and saw something in him that few had.

Wolf's first order of business as Green Bay's general manager
was to fire Lindy Infante and replace him with Holmgren. Next, he
sent a first-round pick to the Falcons for Favre, who became a
three-time MVP and the cornerstone of Wolf's rebuilding project.

On April 6, 1993, he lured White to Green Bay and the pieces
were in place for the Packers' return to glory.